Supporting Our Teachers and Students During COVID-19 Outbreak

The cornerstones of investigation-centered learning are the students’ first-hand experiences, the collaborative nature of those experiences, and the classroom discourse to make sense of the experience. As we work collectively to limit exposure to COVID-19 and reduce risk to the general population, we recognize the inherent challenges associated with hands-on learning. 

Activate Learning is committed to supporting its teachers and students with the continued use of active science curricula both in the classroom and at home virtually. We thank all teachers who are managing classrooms and students during this uncertain time. Please check our website and social media accounts for additional updates. 

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Online Access to Teacher and Student Resources

Activate Learning customers have online access to the Teacher Edition (TE) and Student Edition (SE), in addition to other resources.  

  • Access from any device with a web browser. You can print or email PDF versions of SE resources for students who don’t have internet access.
    • For PCs and Chromebooks, we recommend using Chrome as the browser
    • For Macs and iOS, we recommend using Safari as the browser
    • Read the full Technical Requirements here
  • Login here: http://activatelearning.com/digital-resources/
    • Select your program
    • Enter the Username and/or Password provided by your teacher

If you need any assistance accessing the Teacher or Student Portals, please email support@activatelearning.com or call 646-502-5324. Please be sure to include your school district and the teacher’s name in your email.

FREE digital access to Activate Learning print customers for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

  • Interactive Digital Edition (IDE) for IQWST and Active Physics print to assign activities for students to complete and submit online. 
  • eBooks provide various digital resources, including projected images, assessments, challenges, and more for the following Activate Learning curricula
    • PBI Science
    • Active Chemistry
    • Active Physics
    • Active Physical Science
    • EarthComm
    • Engineering the Future

To request your temporary free access, please email support@activatelearning.com or call 646-502-5324.

Remote Teaching Suggestions

  • Consider discussion questions from TE for students to investigate at home
  • Extension activities can also be used for at-home investigation.
  • Student readings provide content in the absence of investigations.
  • Conduct virtual discussions and/or online investigations
    • If possible, send student books and notebooks home
    • If you are able to send materials home, students can conduct some activities on their own or have students observe a live teacher demonstration, then have a virtual discussion. 
    • Assign readings and notebook sheets after the virtual meeting.
    • There are several online services* offering free support to teachers:

* Activate Learning does not endorse or make any claims about the efficacy or ease of use of any specific vendor.

Student Resources by Grade and Program

FREE LESSONS TO STUDY VIRUSES

We are offering a series of readings with discussion questions (PDF download) that families can use to learn about and discuss viruses and communicable diseases. The articles were written for middle school students, but may also be appropriate for upper elementary and high school students. (Please check back for the complete series.)

IQWST RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

  • NEW Student Activity Videos! Support student learning at home with videos that show the equipment and model the IQWST activities that students would normally experience in the classroom. Video production is ongoing so please check back regularly to see newly added activity videos. Click here to see the videos currently available. 
  • Join and follow the Facebook Group: IQWST Educators. Learn from and support other IQWST teachers around the country by sharing ideas and resources.
  • There are many shared resources in the IQWST Teacher Portal that may be useful for teachers and parents.
  • IQWST Setup Videos (found in the Teacher Portal) can be used — with teachers’ setting context — to allow students to see what the investigation looks like, in part.
  • Some IQWST 3.0 Appendix Lessons describe engineering activities that students may be able to complete at home.
  • The IQWST readings (with audio versions) provide content without the investigation element.
  • Letter to Parents (PDF) with instructions to log on and navigate the online Student Edition

IQWST Alternate Lesson Plans for Distance Learning These alternative lesson plans condense what is taught and suggest ways to support students learning at home. We acknowledge that every situation is unique and strive to provide plans that can be used online or as printed packets. Focus on fewer scientific principles. Use print and audio readings. Share the videos that you can. Discuss if you can.

FREE access to our Interactive Digital Edition (IDE) for IQWST and Active Physics print customers for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year to assign activities for students to complete and submit online. FOR TEACHERS

FOR STUDENTS

ELEMENTARY (Grades K-5)

Please check back for elementary resources

MIDDLE SCHOOL (Grades 6-8)

PBI Science

HIGH SCHOOL (Grades 9-12)

Please check back for more high school resources.

Supporting Students and Families At Home

Dear Parents and Guardians, Your child’s science or math program is published and supported by Activate Learning. As we work collectively to limit exposure to COVID-19 and reduce risk to the general population, we recognize the challenges associated with hands-on, collaborative learning while working independently at home.  Your child’s teacher will decide which lessons and readings will be assigned during your school’s closure. To support continued learning at home, we are providing access to some content and resources. 

FREE LESSONS TO STUDY VIRUSES

We are offering a series of readings with discussion questions (PDF download) that families can use to learn about and discuss viruses and communicable diseases. The articles were written for middle school students, but may also be appropriate for upper elementary and high school students. (Please check back for the complete series.)

ONLINE ACCESS TO STUDENT RESOURCES

Students can access a digital version of their Student Edition or eBook from any device with a web browser.

  • For PCs and Chromebooks, we recommend using Chrome as the browser
  • For Macs and iOS, we recommend using Safari as the browser
  • Read the full Technical Requirements here.

Login here: http://activatelearning.com/digital-resources/

  • Select your program 
  • Enter the Username and/or Password provided by your teacher

If you need any assistance accessing the Student Portals, please email support@activatelearning.com or call 646-502-5324. Please be sure to include your school district and your teacher’s name in your email.

FOR IQWST STUDENTS

If you are using the print version, please read this Letter to Parents (PDF) with instructions to log on and navigate the online Student Edition If your teacher has opted to use the Interactive Digital Edition (IQWST IDE) Access to IQWST IDE is specific to each user; the accounts cannot be shared. This is because students submit their work to the teacher via this account. If your district has been using IQWST IDE this year, your child may already have their login information, including their district’s specific url. Students must use this unique link to access their existing account.   Districts that have been using our print books this year have the option of free access to IQWST IDE via temporary accounts for the remainder of the school year. These accounts also have a unique url for each version of the curricula, as well as user specific login credentials.  

Please watch this video to learn how to log on and navigate the Interactive Digital Edition